Animal Restraint System

ABSTRACT

Systems, devices and methods for restraining animals are disclosed. The system includes various collar, harness and leash designs. The collars, harnesses and leashes can include various size adjustor assemblies. The designs can be modular and scalable for improved functionality.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application SerialNumber 62/864,246 filed on Jun. 20, 2019 and U.S. application Ser. No.16/906,152.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems, devices and methods,for restraining animals, and more specifically to systems, devices, andmethods for adjustable and modular animal restraint devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In using animal restraints, for example for use with a dog, it is commonfor the dog to pull on the leash resulting in choking of the dog. It isalso common to for restraints to lack flexibility in size adjustment andthe ability to attach various components, for example various types ofhandles. Therefore, it is desirable to provide systems, devices, andmethods for improved animal restraint systems.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, an animal restraint systemincludes a cord and an adjustor assembly including at least one adjustorring and at least one locking ring, where the cord length is adjustablewhen the adjustor assembly is in an unlocked position and the cordlength is fixed when the adjustor assembly is in a locked position. Insome embodiments, the adjustor assembly comprises one adjustor ring andone locking ring. In some embodiments, the adjustor assembly comprisestwo adjustor rings and one locking ring. In some embodiments, theadjustor assembly comprises two adjustor rings and two locking rings.

According to an aspect of the invention, an animal restraint systemincludes a cord and an adjustor assembly including a first knot adjacentto a double loop ring and a second knot adjacent to a joint, where thecord length is adjustable when the double loop ring is in an unlockedposition and the cord length is fixed with the double loop ring is in alocked position. In some embodiments, the system further includes afirst ring adjacent to the first knot. In some embodiments, the systemfurther includes a second ring adjacent to the second knot. In someembodiments, the system further includes a third ring adjacent to thesecond knot. In some embodiments, the system further includes a fourthring configured to attach the cord to a leash.

In some embodiments, cord can include a first end and a second end andwhere a first ring positioned on the cord first end and a second ringpositioned on the cord second end, where the first ring is configured tofeed through the second ring and decrease the size of the cord uponforce applied to the first ring.

According to another aspect of the invention, an animal restraint systemincludes a cord and an adjustor assembly including a first ring adjacentto a second ring, and a third ring adjacent to the second ring, wherethe cord length is adjustable when the first and second rings are in anunlocked position and the cord length is fixed when the first and secondrings are in a locked position.

According to another aspect of the invention, an animal restraint systemincludes a cord and an adjustor assembly including a first knot adjacentto a first ring and a second ring, where the cord length is adjustablewhen the second ring is in an unlocked position and the cord length isfixed when the second ring is in a locked position.

According to any of the above aspects of the invention, the cord can beconfigured as a collar or a harness. In some embodiments the collar orharness cords are continuous. In some embodiments, the continuous cordhas two ends that form a joint, where as an example, the joint can bemechanically secured. Any portion of cord can be twisted.

In some embodiments, a harness can include a first looped end and asecond looped end, and the system further comprises a connectorincluding a first ring and a second ring, where the first ring isconfigured to be fed through the first looped end and secured inposition via the first and second rings.

According to any of the above aspects on the invention, the system canfurther include a leash. In some embodiments, the leash includes a firstend and a second end where the first end connects to a cord via a hookand the second end comprises a handle. The leash can be configured froma continuous cord. A portion of the leash cord can be twisted.

In some embodiments, the leash can include a modular design, for examplea handle can be connectable to the leash. In these embodiments, theleash can include a first end including a hook and a second endincluding a ring, and the handle can include a first and second loopedend, where the handle attaches to the leash by feeding the first loopedend through the leash first end ring and pulling the handle through theleash first end ring. In some embodiments, the size of the handle loopedends can be adjustable. For example, handle can include a first ring, asecond ring and a knot configured to adjust the size of the handlesecond looped end.

In some embodiments, the leash can include a first end including a ring,a second end and a hook, where the hook is positioned on the leashbetween the first end and the second end and is configured to connect tothe ring to create a handle.

According to another aspect of the invention, an animal restraint deviceincludes a collar, an adjustor assembly and a leash, where the adjustorassembly comprises a first ring adjacent to a second ring, and a thirdring adjacent to the second ring, where the collar size is adjustablewhen the first and second rings are in an unlocked position and thecollar size is fixed when the first and second rings are in a lockedposition. In some embodiments, the device can include a single piece ofcontinuous cord.

According to any of the above aspects of the invention, the cord caninclude at least one of a rope, wire, string or cable. In someembodiments, the cord includes paracord. In some embodiments, the cordincludes an outer sheath. In some embodiments, the cord includes nylon.In some embodiments, the cord has a tensile strength ranging from 1000lb to 1600 lbs, for example 1200 lb. In some embodiments, the cord has adiameter ranging from ⅛″ to ½″, for example ¾″. Any of the abovedescribed knots can include any type of knot, for example a loop overknot or a slip loop knot. In some embodiments, the knot is configured todistribute force away from a nearby joint.

The technology described herein, along with the attributes and attendantadvantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood in view ofthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which representative embodiments are describedby way of example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a system for restraining an animal, consistentwith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the collar of FIG. 1 including an adjustorassembly, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a schematic of an alternate collar including an alternateadjustor assembly, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an alternate collar including the adjustorassembly of FIG. 2, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a collar including an alternate adjustorassembly, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a collar including an alternate adjustorassembly, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 5a . is a schematic of an alternate collar including an alternateadjustor assembly, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a harness including the adjustor assembly ofFIG. 2, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of an alternate harness including the adjustorassembly of FIG. 2, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of an alternate harness including the adjustorassembly of FIG. 2, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic of an alternate harness including the adjustorassembly of FIG. 2, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of an alternate harness including the adjustorassembly of FIG. 2, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic of an alternate harness including a connector,consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic of a leash having a modular design, consistentwith the present invention;

FIG. 12a is a schematic of a handle that can be used with the leash ofFIG. 10, consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 12b is a schematic of an alternate handle that can be used with theleash of FIG. 10, consistent with the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic of a device for restraining an animal, consistentwith the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic of a collar including an adjustor assembly,consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a collar including an adjustor assembly,consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a collar including an adjustor assembly,consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic of a harness including an adjustor assembly,consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic of a harness including an adjustor assembly,consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic of a leash, consistent with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of thetechnology, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings torefer to the same or like parts.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the inventiveconcepts. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

It will be further understood that the words “comprising” (and any formof comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and anyform of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form ofincluding, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and anyform of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) when used herein,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc.may be used herein to describe various limitations, elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these limitations,elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not belimited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish onelimitation, element, component, region, layer or section from anotherlimitation, element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a firstlimitation, element, component, region, layer or section discussed belowcould be termed a second limitation, element, component, region, layeror section without departing from the teachings of the presentapplication.

It will be further understood that when an element is referred to asbeing “on”, “attached”, “connected” or “coupled” to another element, itcan be directly on or above, or connected or coupled to, the otherelement or intervening elements can be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly attached”,“directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there areno intervening elements present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.).

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like may be used to describe an element and/or feature'srelationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example,illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in a figure is turned over,elements described as “below” and/or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.The device can be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or atother orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

The term “and/or” where used herein is to be taken as specificdisclosure of each of the two specified features or components with orwithout the other. For example “A and/or B” is to be taken as specificdisclosure of each of (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) A and B, just as if eachis set out individually herein.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable sub-combination. For example, it will be appreciated thatall features set out in any of the claims (whether independent ordependent) can be combined in any given way.

As used herein, a cord can include a rope, wire, string, cable or anyother suitable material. In some embodiments, the cord can include anylon material. In some embodiments, cord can include a paracord. Cordcan have any suitable tensile strength, for example a tensile strengthranging from 1000 lb to 1600 lb. Cord can have any suitable diameter,for example a diameter ranging from ⅛″ to ½″. Cord can have an outersheath and any number of inner strands. As an example, the cord can beParaMax Cord 32 strand woven nylon outer sheath having a 1200 lb tensilestrength, ¼″ diameter, and three inner strands. The cord can also be rotand UV fade resistant. The cord can maintain tension when twisted anddoes not reverse twist once knotted. The cord can be shrunk bysubmerging in hot water which can assist in tightening the cord andprovide additional configurability. Also as used herein, rings, hooksand crimps can include any suitable material such as a metal, forexample, brass. Rings, hooks and crimps can be any suitable size andshape relative to the cord used. Any number of rings, hooks and crimpscan be used with any of the collars, harnesses and leashes describedherein to hold portions of cord together.

The present invention comprises a system for restraining an animalcomprising a cord and an adjustor assembly, where the adjustor assemblycomprises at least one adjustor ring and at least one locking ring,where the cord length is adjustable when the adjustor assembly is in anunlocked position and the cord length is fixed when the adjustorassembly is in a locked position. In some aspects, the adjustor assemblycomprises one adjustor ring and one locking ring. In some aspects, theadjustor assembly comprises two adjustor rings and one locking ring. Insome aspects, the adjustor assembly comprises two adjustor rings and twolocking rings. The system can be configured as a collar or a harness andcan be configured to attached to a leash.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of system 10 for restraining an animal, includingcollar 100, adjustor assembly 200 and leash 300. In the illustratedembodiment, collar 100 includes continuous cord 110 having joint 105,first ring 101, second ring 102, third ring 103, and fourth ring 104.First, second and third rings 101-103 are optionally included to securecord 110 together. Fourth ring 104 can be used to connect collar 100 toa leash such as leash 300, 300′ or 1900 (described herein). Optionally,collar 100 can include at least a portion of cord 110 that is twisted,for example cord portion 112.

In the illustrated embodiment, collar 100 length or size, specificallyits circumference, is adjustable via adjustor assembly 200. Adjustorassembly 200 includes first knot 201, second knot 202 and double loopring 203. To adjust the size of collar 100, double loop ring 203 ismoved to an unlocked position by sliding along cord 110 away from firstknot 201. Then, first cord portion 111 can be adjusted relative tosecond cord portion 112 until collar 100 is adjusted to the desiredsize. After collar 100 is adjusted to the desired size, double loop ring203 is moved to a locked position by sliding along cord 110 toward firstknot 201.

A method for making collar 100 can include the following steps: usingone continuous piece of cord 110, fold cord 110 in half, slide firstring 101 to folded end of cord 110 creating a small loop, slide fourthring 104 onto cord 110, slide third ring 103 onto cord 110, slide bothends of cord 110 through one loop of double loop ring 203, slide bothends of cord 110 through the small loop of cord 110 at folded endcreating knot 201, slide both ends of cord 110 through second loop ofdouble loop ring 203, slide one end of cord 110 onto second ring 102,wrap around the entire cord 110 creating knot 202 and back throughsecond ring 102, and connect two ends of cord 110 at joint 105, forexample, a clamp.

Collar 100 can connect to a leash such as leash 300. In the illustratedembodiment, leash 300 comprises continuous cord 310 having joint 305,first knot 301, second knot 302, third knot 303, ring 304, hook 306 andhandle 320. Hook 306, for example, a swivel snap, can be used to connectleash 300 to a collar such as collar 100, for example via ring 104. Cord310 can be twisted along the entire length of leash 300 as shown.Alternatively, a portion or portions of cord 310 can be twisted or noportion of cord 310 can be twisted.

A method for making leash 300 can include the following steps: using onecontinuous piece of cord 310, fold cord 310 in half, create first knot301 at ring 304 at midpoint, twist the two loose ends of cord 310, feedone end of cord 310 through ring 304 creating second knot 302, continueto twist two loose ends of cord 310, feed one end of cord 310 throughthe hook 306 creating third knot 303, and connect two ends of cord 310at joint 305 by any suitable means, for example, using a clamp.

Any of the knots described herein can be any type of knot to secure therespective portions of cord. In some embodiments, a loop-over knot isused (as described above in the method for creating knot 303) which canbe advantageous as it distributes the force away from the nearby jointcreating a more stable, robust design. In some embodiments, a slip-loopknot is used (as described above in the method for creating knot 202).

FIG. 2 is an alternate view of collar 100 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2a is a schematic of an alternate collar including an alternateadjustor assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, collar 100′ includescontinuous cord 110′ having joint 105′, first ring 101′, second ring102′, third ring 103′, and fourth ring 104′. First ring 101′ isoptionally included to secure cord 110′ together. Second and third rings102′, 103′ can be optionally included to assist a user in adjustingcollar 100′ size using adjustor assembly 200′. Fourth ring 104′ can beused to connect collar 100 to a leash such as leash 300, 300′ or 1900(described herein).

In the illustrated embodiment, collar 100′ length or size, specificallyits circumference, is adjustable via adjustor assembly 200′. Adjustorassembly 200′ includes first knot 201′, second knot 202′ and double loopring 203′. To adjust the size of collar 100′, double loop ring 203′ ismoved to an unlocked position by sliding along cord 110′ away from firstknot 201′. Then, first cord portion 111′ can be adjusted relative tosecond cord portion 112′ using rings 102′ and 103′ until collar 100′ isadjusted to the desired size. After collar 100′ is adjusted to thedesired size, double loop ring 203′ is moved to a locked position bysliding along cord 110′ toward first knot 201′.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an alternate collar including adjustor assembly200. In the illustrated embodiment, collar 100″ includes continuous cord110″ having joint 105″, first ring 101″, second ring 102″, third ring103″, fourth ring 104″ and fifth ring 106. Second, third and fifth rings102″, 103″, 106 are optionally included to secure cord 110″ together.First ring 101″ can be included such that end of cord portion 112″ canslide through ring 101″ allowing the entire collar 100′ to tightenaround an animal's neck if the animal puts tension on collar 100′ andloosens again when tension decreases, sometimes used for trainingpurposes. Fourth ring 104″ can be used to connect collar 100″ to a leashsuch as leash 300, 300′ or 1900 (described herein).

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an alternate collar including an alternateadjustor assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, collar 100″′ includescontinuous cord 110′″ including cord portion 111″ which can connect to aleash and looped cord portion 112′″ which can be positioned around ananimal's neck. Collar 100′″ size is adjustable via adjustor assembly200″. In the illustrated embodiment, adjustor assembly 200′ includesfirst ring 204, second ring 205 and third ring 206. To adjust the sizeof collar 100″′, first ring 204 and second ring 205 are moved to anunlocked position by sliding along cord 110″′ away from third ring 206.Then, third ring 206 slides along cord 110″′ towards either first ring204 or second ring 205 until collar 100″′ is adjusted to the desiredsize. For example, if third ring 206 is moved toward first ring 204,circumference of cord portion 112″′ would become larger. After collar100″′ is adjusted to the desired size, first ring 204 and second ring205 are moved to a locked position by sliding along cord 110″′ towardthird ring 206. Cord portion 111″′ can include the two loose ends ofcord where a joint (not shown but such as joint 105 described above) canbe created and a ring (not shown but such as ring 104 described above)can be used to connect collar 100″′ to a leash such as leash 300, 300′or 1900 (described herein).

FIG. 5. is a schematic of an alternate collar including an alternateadjustor assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, collar 100″″ includescontinuous cord 110″″, joint 105″″ and ring 104″″. Collar 100″″ size isadjustable via adjustor assembly 200″′. In the illustrated embodiment,adjustor assembly 200″′ comprises first ring 207, second ring 208,double loop ring 209 and loop 210. To adjust the size of collar 100″″,second ring 208 is moved to an unlocked position by sliding along cord110″″ toward first ring 207. Then, loop 210 is pulled over ring 209, anda user can pull ring 212 to tighten collar 100″″. After collar 100″″ isadjusted to the desired size, loop 210 is positioned over ring 209 andsecond ring 208 is moved to a locked position by sliding along cord110″″ toward ring 209. Ring 104″″ can be used to connect collar 100″″such as leash 300, 300′ or 1900 (described herein).

FIG. 5a . is a schematic of an alternate collar including an alternateadjustor assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, collar 100″″′comprises continuous cord 110″″′, joint 105′ and ring 104″″′. Collar100″″′ size is adjustable via adjustor assembly 200″″. In theillustrated embodiment, adjustor assembly 200″″ comprises first doubleloop ring 207′, second double loop ring 208′, double loop ring 209′ andloop 210′. To adjust the size of collar 100″″′, second ring 208′ ismoved to an unlocked position by sliding along cord 110″″′ toward firstring 207′. Then, loop 210′ is pulled over ring 209′, and a user canslide ring 212′ along cord 110″″′ to adjust collar 100″″′. After collar100″″ is adjusted to the desired size, loop 210′ is positioned over ring209′ and second ring 208′ is moved to a locked position by sliding alongcord 110″″′ toward ring 209′. Ring 104″′ can be used to connect collar100″″′ such as leash 300, 300′ or 1900 (described herein).

Adjustor assemblies 200, 200′, 200″, 200″′ and 200″″ can also be usedwith a harness. FIGS. 6-10 are schematics of various harnesses includingadjustor assembly 200.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of harness 400 including adjustor assembly 200. Inthe illustrated embodiment, harness 400 includes continuous cord 410having joint 407, first ring 401, second ring 402, third ring 403,fourth ring 404, fifth ring 405 and sixth ring 406. Second, third,fourth and fifth rings 402-405 are optionally included to secure cord410 together. First and sixth ring 401, 406 can be used to connectharness 400 to a leash such as leash 300. As an example, ring 406 can beused for training purposes such as training a dog on a leash. Harness400′ is configured such that cord portion is 411 positioned around theanimal's head around the back of their neck, cord portion 413 ispositioned under the animal's lower chest behind the front legs, andcord portion 412 is positioned on the upper chest positioned in front ofthe front legs.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of harness 400′ including adjustor assembly 200.In the illustrated embodiment, harness 400′ includes continuous cord410′ having joint 407′, first ring 401′, second ring 402′, third ring403′ and double loop ring 408. Second and third rings 402′, 403′ areoptionally included to secure cord 410′ together. Fewer or additionalrings configured to secure cord together are contemplated. Double loopring 408 is optionally included to maintain the lower portion of harness400′ low on the animal's chest and away from the animal's neck. Firstring 401′ can be used to connect harness 400′ to a leash such as leash300, 300′, 1900 (described herein). Harness 400′ is configured to be across body harness.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of harness 400″ including adjustor assembly 200.In the illustrated embodiment, harness 400″ includes continuous cord410″ having joint 407″, first ring 401″, second ring 402″, third ring403″ and fourth ring 404″. Second, third and fourth rings 402′-404′ areoptionally included to secure cord 410″ together. First ring 401″ can beused to connect harness 400″ to a leash such as leash 300, 300′ or 1900(described herein). Harness 400″ is configured such that cord portion411″ is similar to a collar, and cord portion 412″ is positioned aroundthe animal's body.

FIG. 9 is a schematic of harness 400″′ including adjustor assembly 200.In the illustrated embodiment, harness 400″′ includes continuous cord410″′ having joint 407″′, first ring 401″′ , second ring 402″′, thirdring 403″′ and fourth ring 404′″. Second and third rings 402″′, 403″′are optionally included to secure cord 410″′ together. Fourth ring 404″′is optionally included to maintain the lower portion of harness 400′ lowon the animal's chest and away from the animal's neck. First ring 401″′can be used to connect harness 400″′ to a leash such as leash 300, 300′or 1900 (described herein). Harness 400″′ is configured to be a crossbody harness similar to harness 400′ in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a schematic of harness 400″″ including adjustor assembly 200.In the illustrated embodiment, harness 400″″ includes continuous cord410″″ having joint 407″″, first ring 401″″, second ring 402″″, thirdring 403″″, and fourth ring 406″″. Second and third rings, 402″″, 403″″are optionally included to secure cord 410 together. First and sixthring 401″″, 406″″ can be used to connect harness 400 to a leash such asleash 300. As an example, ring 406″″ can be used for training purposessuch as training a dog on a leash. Harness 400″″ is configured such thatcord portion is 411″″ positioned around the animal's head around theback of their neck, cord portion 413″″ is positioned under the animal'slower chest behind the front legs, and cord portion 412″″ is positionedon the upper chest positioned in front of the front legs.

The harnesses illustrated in FIGS. 6-10 are configured using acontinuous cord. Optionally, any harness used with system 10, as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 6-10, can be configured from a cord that is notcontinuous and instead a cord having two ends to be connected via aconnector such as the connector shown in FIG. 11. For example, FIG. 11is a schematic of harness 400″″′ including connector 700. In theillustrated embodiment, harness 400″″′ includes cord 410″″ having firstlooped end 408, second looped end 409, and ring 401″″′. Ring 401″″′ canbe configured to attached harness 400″″′ to a leash, such as leash 300,300′ or 1900 (described herein). First and second looped ends 408, 409can be connected together via connector 700. Connector 700 includesfirst ring 701 and second ring 702. For example, ring 401″″′ can be fedthrough first looped end 408 and secured in position via rings 701, 702.

The harnesses illustrated in FIGS. 6-10 include adjustor assembly 200.Optionally, any harness used with system 10, such as those illustratedin FIGS. 6-10, can include adjustor assembly 200′, 200″, 1720 or 1820.

FIG. 12 is a schematic of a leash having a modular design. Leash 300′includes continuous cord 310′ comprising joint 305′, knot 302′, knot303′, first ring 304′, second ring 316, and hook 306′. Cord 310′ can betwisted along the entire length of leash 300′ as shown. Alternatively, aportion or portions of cord 310′ can be twisted or no portion of cord310′ can be twisted. In the illustrated embodiment, leash 300′ includesknot 303′ to secure hook 306′ to leash 300′. In other embodiments (notshown), leash 300′ (or leash 300) can include a double loop ring tosecure hook 306′.

A leash can optionally include a hook to shorten the leash and create ahandle. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, hook 307 is secured to leash300′ via knot 308 and ring 316, and ring 316 is secured to leash 300′via knot 309. Hook 307 can be disconnected from ring 316 and can be usedto connect to ring 304′ to shorten leash 300′ and create a handle (notshown). Hook 307 can be secured to leash 300′ via any suitable means.

Alternative to creating a handle via hook 307 and ring 304′, any type ofmodular handle can be used with leash 300′, for example handles 500 and500′ illustrated in FIGS. 12a and 12b . Handle 500 comprises continuouscord 510, joint 505, first ring 506, second ring 507, knot 508, firstlooped end 515 and second looped end 520. Handle 500 attaches to leash300′ by feeding looped end 515 through ring 304′ and pulling handle 500through ring 304′. Looped end 520 can be used to hold handle 500 and issize adjustable via rings 506, 507 and knot 508. For example, looped end520 can be adjusted to a smaller size by moving rings 506, 507 towardlooped end 520 relative to knot 508. Adjustor assembly 200′ can also beused to adjust the size of looped end 520.

Handle 500′ comprises continuous cord 510′, joint 505′, first knot 501,second knot 502 and ring 503. User can hold ring 503 or looped end 515′.Handle 500′ attaches to leash 300′ by feeding looped end 515′ throughring 304′ and pulling handle 500′ through ring 304′.

Leash 300′ and handles 500 and 500′ can be of any length depending onthe size of the animal and desired use.

FIG. 13 is a schematic of device 600 for restraining an animal includingadjustor assembly 200′. Device 600 includes continuous cord 610, collar601 adjustable via adjustor assembly 200′, handle 602, joints 603, 604and knots 605, 606. In some embodiments, handle 602 can be adjustablevia adjustor assembly 200′. In some embodiments, device 600 canalternatively include adjustor assembly 200 or 200″.

FIG. 14 is a schematic of a collar including an adjustor assembly. Inthe illustrated embodiment, collar 1400 includes continuous cord 1410secured by joint 1405, and first ring 1401. First ring 1401 can be usedto connect collar 1400 to a leash such as leash 300, 300′ or 1900(described herein). In the illustrated embodiment, collar 1400 length orsize, specifically its circumference, is adjustable via adjustorassembly 1420. Adjustor assembly 1420 includes adjustor rings 1421 and1422 and locking ring 1423. In some aspects, adjustor rings 1421 and1422 comprise double loop rings and locking ring 1423 comprises a singleloop ring. To adjust the size of collar 1400, locking ring 1423 is movedto an unlocked position by moving ring locking 1423 away from adjustorring 1421, then adjustor rings 1421 and 1422 are moved by sliding alongcord 1410 until collar 1400 is adjusted to the desired size (directiondepending on desire to increase or decrease the size of collar 1400).After collar 1400 is adjusted to the desired size, locking ring 1423 ismoved to a locked position by sliding along cord 1410 toward adjustorring 1421 to a position proximate to adjustor ring 1421.

A method of making collar 1400 starting from a single cord 1410 includesfolding the cord 1410 in half forming two loose ends and a folded end;sliding adjustor ring 1421, e.g., a double looped ring along the cordvia the two loose ends of the cord towards the folded end, securingtightly; sliding an adjustor ring 1422, e.g., a double loop ring, alongthe cord via the two loose ends of the cord towards the folded end;sliding a first ring 1401 along the cord via the two loose ends of thecord; feeding the two loose ends through the first adjustor ring that ispositioned at the folded end of the cord; sliding a locking ring 1423,e.g., a single loop ring, over the two loose ends of the cord; feedingone of the loose ends of the cord through one ring of the secondadjustor ring and back through the second ring of the adjustor ring fromthe opposite direction; adjusting the size of the collar; trimming bothloose ends such they are the same length; stitching the two loose endstogether, for example, with nylon waxed heavy gage thread; and securingthe joint, for example, with a clamp.

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a collar including an adjustor assembly.Collar 1500 comprises continuous cord 1510, first ring (not shown) andoptional second ring 1502. First ring (not shown) can be used to connectcollar 1500 to a leash such as leash 300, 300′ or 1900 (describedherein). Alternatively, collar 1500 can include leash via a continuouscord 1510. Optional second ring 1502 can be used to secure cord 1510together. In the illustrated embodiment, collar 1500 length or size,specifically its circumference, is adjustable via adjustor assembly1520. Adjustor assembly 1520 includes adjustor ring 1521 and lockingring 1523. In some aspects, adjustor ring 1521 comprises a double loopring and locking ring 1523 comprises a single loop ring. To adjust thesize of collar 1500, locking ring 1523 is moved to an unlocked positionby moving locking ring 1523 away from adjustor ring 1521, then adjustorring 1521 is moved by sliding along cord 1510 until collar 1500 isadjusted to the desired size (direction depending on desire to increaseor decrease the size of collar 1500). After collar 1500 is adjusted tothe desired size, locking ring 1523 is moved to a locked position bysliding toward adjustor ring 1521 to a position proximate to adjustorring 1521.

A method of making collar 1500 starting from a single cord 1510 includesfolding the cord 1510 in half forming two loose ends and a folded end;sliding a first ring along the cord via the two loose ends of the cordtowards the folded end; sliding a locking ling 1523, e.g., a singlelooped ring along the cord via the two loose ends of the cord towardsthe folded end, securing tightly; sliding an adjustor ring 1522, e.g., adouble loop ring, along the cord via the two loose ends of the cordtowards the folded end; sliding two locking rings, e.g., a single loopedring along the cord via the two loose ends of the cord towards thefolded end; feeding one of the loose ends of the cord through one ringof the adjustor ring and back through the second ring of the adjustorring from the opposite direction; adjusting the size of the collar;trimming both loose ends such they are the same length; stitching thetwo loose ends together, for example, with nylon waxed heavy gagethread; and securing the joint, for example, with a clamp.

A alternative method of making collar 1500 starting from a single cord1510 includes folding the cord 1510 in half forming two loose ends and afolded end; sliding a first ring along the cord via the two loose endsof the cord towards the folded end; sliding a locking ring 1523, e.g., asingle looped ring along the cord via the two loose ends of the cordtowards the folded end, securing tightly; sliding an adjustor ring 1522,e.g., a double loop ring; along the cord via the two loose ends of thecord towards the folded end; sliding two locking rings, e.g., a singlelooped ring along the cord via the two loose ends of the cord towardsthe folded end; feeding one of the loose ends of the cord through onering of the adjustor ring, loop the same loose end around the cord andback through the second ring of the adjustor ring from the oppositedirection; adjusting the size of the collar; trimming both loose endssuch they are the same length; stitching the two loose ends together,for example, with nylon waxed heavy gage thread; and securing the joint,for example, with a clamp.

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a collar including an adjustor assembly.Collar 1600 comprises continuous cord 1610, first ring 1601 and secondring 1602. First ring 1601 can be used to connect collar 1600 to a leashsuch as leash 300, 300′ or 1900 (described herein). In the illustratedembodiment, collar 1600 length or size, specifically its circumference,is adjustable via adjustor assembly 1620. Adjustor assembly 1620includes adjustor ring 1621. In some aspects, adjustor ring 1621comprises a double loop ring. To adjust the size of collar 1600,adjustor ring 1621 is moved by sliding along cord 1610 until collar 1600is adjusted to the desired size (direction depending on desire toincrease or decrease the size of collar 1600). In this embodiment, alocking ring is not required to maintain the position of adjustor ring1621.

FIG. 17 is a schematic of harness 1700 including adjustor assembly 1720.In the illustrated embodiment, harness 1700 includes continuous cord1710 secured by joint 1705, first ring 1701 and second ring 1702. Firstring 1701 can be used to connect harness 1700 to a leash such as leash300, 300′ or 1900 (described herein). Second ring 1702 can be used tosecure portions of cord 1710 together, for example, to create threespaces, one for each an animal's head and two front feet. Adjustorassembly 1720 includes adjustor rings 1721 and 1722 and locking ring1723. In some aspects, adjustor rings 1721 and 1722 comprise a doubleloop ring and locking ring 1723 comprises a single loop ring. To adjustthe size of harness 1700, locking ring 1723 is moved to an unlockedposition by moving locking ring 1723 away from adjustor ring 1721, andlocking ring 1724 is moved to an unlocked position by moving lockingring 1724 away from adjustor ring 1722, then adjustor rings 1721 and1722 are moved by sliding along cord 1710 until the three spaces ofharness 1700 are adjusted to the desired size. After harness 1700 isadjusted to the desired size, locking ring 1723 is moved to a lockedposition by sliding toward adjustor ring 1721 to a position proximate toadjustor ring 1721 and locking ring 1724 is moved to a locked positionby sliding toward adjustor ring 1722 to a position proximate to adjustorring 1722.

A method of making harness 1700 starting from a single cord 1710includes folding the cord in half forming two loose ends and a foldedend; sliding an adjustor ring 1721 or 1722, a double loop ring, alongthe cord via the two loose ends of the cord towards the folded end,securing tight; sliding a first ring 1701 along the cord via the twoloose ends of the cord; sliding a locking ring 1723 or 1724, a singleloop ring, over the two loose ends of the cord; feeding the two looseends through the first adjustor ring that is positioned at the foldedend of the cord; sliding a second ring 1702 along the cord via the twoloose ends of the cord; sliding an adjustor ring 1722 or 1721, e.g., adouble looped ring along the cord via the two loose ends of the cordtowards the folded end; sliding a locking ring 1724 or 1723 over the twoloose ends of the cord; feeding the two loose ends of the cord backthrough the first ting; feeding one of the loose ends of the cordthrough one ring of the second adjustor ring and back through the secondring of the adjustor ring from the opposite direction; adjusting thesize of the harness; trimming both loose ends such they are the samelength; stitching the two loose ends together, for example, with nylonwaxed heavy gage thread; and securing the joint, for example, with aclamp.

FIG. 18 is a schematic of harness 1800 including adjustor assembly 1820.In the illustrated embodiment, harness 1800 includes continuous cord1810 secured by joint 1805, first ring 1801 and second ring 1802. Firstring 1801 can be used to connect harness 1800 to a leash such as leash300, 300′ or 1900 (described herein). Second ring 1802 can be used tosecure portions of cord 1810 together. Adjustor assembly 1820 includesadjustor ring 1821 and locking ring 1823. In some aspects, adjustor ring1821 comprises a double loop ring and locking ring 1823 comprises asingle loop ring. To adjust the size of harness 1800, locking ring 1823is moved to an unlocked position by moving ring 1823 away from adjustorring 1821, then adjustor ring 1821 is moved by sliding along cord 1810until harness 1800 is adjusted to the desired size. After harness 1800is adjusted to the desired size, locking ring 1823 is moved to a lockedposition by sliding toward adjustor ring 1821 to a position proximate toadjustor ring 1821.

FIG. 19 is a schematic of a leash that can be used with any of thecollars and harnesses described herein. Leash 1900 comprises continuouscord 1910 having joint 1905, first ring 1901, second ring 1902, hook1906 and handle 1930. First ring 1901 is optionally included to securefolded end of cord 1910 together. Second ring 1902 can be used to adjustthe size, e.g., the circumference, of handle 1930. In some aspects,first and second rings 1901, 1902 can comprise a double loop ring. Hook1906, for example, a swivel snap, can be used to connect leash 1900 to acollar or harness such as collar 1400, for example via ring 1401. Cord1910 can be twisted along the entire length of leash 1900.Alternatively, a portion or portions of cord 1910 can be twisted or noportion of cord 1910 can be twisted.

A method of making leash 1900 starting from a single cord 1910 includesfolding the cord in half forming two loose ends and a folded end;sliding a first ring 1901 along the cord via the two loose ends of thecord towards the folded end, securing tight; sliding a second ring 1902along the cord via the two loose ends of the cord; creating a loop for ahandle 1930 and feed the two loose ends of the cord back through thefirst ring; pulling both loose ends of the cord through the first ringuntil the desired handle size is created; optionally twisting the twoloose ends of cord; feed one loose end of the cord through a ring;sliding the same loose end through a hook 1906; feeding the same looseend back through the ring and pull firm to lock the ring firmly againstthe hook; trimming both loose ends such they are the same length;stitching the two loose ends together, for example, with nylon waxedheavy gage thread; and securing the joint, for example, with a clamp.

All components described herein are modular and configurable, forexample, any harness or collar be used with any adjustor assembly orleash, and a modular style leash can be used with a variety of handles.

While certain embodiments of the devices and methods have been describedin reference to the environment in which they were developed, they aremerely illustrative of the principles of the inventions. Modification orcombinations of the above-described assemblies, other embodiments,configurations, and methods for carrying out the invention, andvariations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those ofskill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims. Inaddition, where this application has listed the steps of a method orprocedure in a specific order, it may be possible, or even expedient incertain circumstances, to change the order in which some steps areperformed, and it is intended that the particular steps of the method orprocedure claim set forth herebelow not be construed as beingorder-specific unless such order specificity is expressly stated in theclaim.

I claim:
 1. An animal restraint system comprising a continuous cordcomprising two loose ends; wherein the cord is folded in half forming afirst end comprising the two loose ends and a second end; and whereinthe first end comprises a joint configured to join the two loose ends.2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an adjustor assemblycomprising at least one adjustor ring and at least one locking ring;wherein the cord length is adjustable when the adjustor assembly is inan unlocked position and the cord length is fixed when the adjustorassembly is in a locked position.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein theat least one adjustor ring is a single looped ring or a double loopedring.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one locking ring isa single looped ring or a double looped ring.
 5. The system of claim 1wherein at least a portion of the cord is twisted.
 6. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the joint is mechanically secured.
 7. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the system comprises a collar.
 8. The system of claim 1wherein the system comprises a harness.
 9. The system of claim 1 whereinthe system comprises a handle.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein thesystem comprises a leash.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the firstend further comprises a hook configured to connect to a collar or aharness and the second end comprises a ring.
 12. The system of claim 11further comprising a second ring and a second hook, wherein the secondhook is configured to connect to the second ring.
 13. The system ofclaim 11 wherein the ring is configured to connect to a modular handle.14. The system of claim 11 wherein the ring is configured to form ahandle.
 15. The system of claim 10 wherein the first end furthercomprises a hook configured to connect to a collar or a harness and thesecond end comprises a hook configured to attach to a ring.
 16. Thesystem of claim 10 further comprising an adjustor assembly comprising atleast one adjustor ring and at least one locking ring; wherein the cordlength is adjustable when the adjustor assembly is in an unlockedposition and the cord length is fixed when the adjustor assembly is in alocked position.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the at least oneadjustor ring is a single looped ring or a double looped ring.
 18. Thesystem of claim 16 wherein the at least one locking ring is a singlelooped ring or a double looped ring.
 19. The system of claim 16 furthercomprising a second locking ring, wherein the second locking ring is asingle looped ring or a double looped ring.
 20. An animal restraintsystem comprising a continuous cord comprising two loose ends; whereinthe cord is folded in half forming a first end comprising the two looseends and a second end; and an adjustor assembly comprising an adjustorring and at least one locking ring; wherein the cord length isadjustable when the adjustor assembly is in an unlocked position and thecord length is fixed when the adjustor assembly is in a locked position;wherein the second end comprises a hook configured to attach to theadjustor ring; and wherein the first end comprises a joint configured tojoin the two loose ends and a hook configured to attach to a collar or aharness.